ZA211 Climate change

Faculty of Science
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Lukáš Dolák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Ladislava Řezníčková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jan Řehoř, Ph.D. (assistant)
Mgr. David Tichopád (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Lukáš Dolák, Ph.D.
Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Mgr. Lukáš Dolák, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 19. 2. to Sun 26. 5. Mon 10:00–11:50 Z2,01032
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
ZA211/01: Mon 19. 2. to Sun 26. 5. Mon 12:00–12:50 Z2,01032, L. Dolák, L. Řezníčková
Prerequisites
The course is intended for postgraduate (MSc) students. Basic knowledge of the physical-geographical and climatic processes acquired in the previous courses is required to attend the course.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of this course, students should be able to within a reasonable level of detail understand and explain the fundamental driving forces of global climate (greenhouse effect, insolation changes, oceanic and atmospheric heat distribution etc.). Moreover, they will be able to explain and reason about climate change that is expected by the end of the 21st century and describe human-induced climate change effects. On a general level, students will understand and explain local impacts in various parts of the world, possible adaptation and mitigation strategies to expected climate change and also current international treaties.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will gain the principal knowledge about recent climate change. They will understand the main climatic processes (greenhouse effect, carbon cycle, global warming) as well as climate variability both in the past and present. The students will be able to identify and describe climate global change impacts on human society and the environment and they will gain a general overview of mitigation and adaptation measures.
Syllabus
  • 1. Climate system
  • 2. Atmosphere
  • 3. Climatological data
  • 4. Greenhouse effect of the atmosphere
  • 5. Carbon cycle
  • 6. Climate models
  • 7. Past climate changes and how to study them
  • 8. Recent and expected climate change impacts
  • 9. Conceptions, conferences and agreements concerning climate change
  • 10. Possibilities of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures
  • 11. Possibilities of climate change adaptation measures and renewable energy sources
  • 12. Climate change as an economic and political issue
Literature
    recommended literature
  • MASLIN, Mark. Climate change : a very short introduction. Fourth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021, xxiv, 166. ISBN 9780198867869. info
  • HULME, Mike. Climate change. First published. London: Routledge, 2022, xxxvi, 292. ISBN 9780367422035. info
  • HULME, Mike. Why we disagree about climate change : understanding controversy, inaction and opportunity. First published. Cambridge: Cambridge university press, 2009, xxxix, 392. ISBN 9780521898690. info
  • BERNERS-LEE, M. There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2019, 302. ISBN 978-1-108-43958-9
  • STERN, N. H. The economics of climate change : the Stern review. 1st pub. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007, xix, 692. ISBN 9780521700801. info
  • SMITH, Philip and Nicolas HOWE. Climate change as social drama : global warming in the public sphere. First published. New York: Cambridge university press, 2015, vii, 242. ISBN 9781107503052. info
  • DESSLER, A. E. Introduction to Modern Climate Change. Texas A & M University, 288. ISBN 9781108793872
    not specified
  • MASSON-DELMOTTE, V. et al. Climate Change 2021. The Physical Science Basis. Summary for Policymakers. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2021, 41 https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_SPM_final.pdf
  • SHUKLA, P. R. et al. Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Summary for Policymakers. Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press, 2022, 52. ISBN 978-92-9169-160-9 https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/downloads/report/IPCC_A
  • PÖRTNER, H. O. et al. Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Summary for Policymakers. Cambridge UK and New York, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press, 2022, 33 https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGII_Summary
Teaching methods
Blended learning combining theoretical lectures, group discussions, solving practical tasks and reading homework.
Assessment methods
Oral exam
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2024, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2024/ZA211